DAVID OSPINA believes Arsenal’s response to the Champions League humiliation at the hands of Monaco confirms they are ready to challenge Manchester City’s hold on second spot.

Arsene Wenger’s men were left on the brink of an early exit from Europe after last Wednesday’s crushing 3-1 home defeat, but bounced back with Sunday’s victory over Everton.

City, meanwhile, failed to shake off their European blues by suffering a weekend loss at Liverpool five days after they had been outclassed by Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium.

That allowed the Gunners to move within four points of Maunel Pellegrini’s side and after clocking up six wins in their last seven league games, Wenger’s side are beginning to develop domestic momentum. Another win at struggling QPR tomorrow will consolidate their top-four standing.

But goalkeeper Ospina insists the club is not looking beyond the trip to Loftus Road as they head into a two-week period that will have a major influence on the outcome of Arsenal’s campaign.

Wenger’s side face Manchester United in the FA Cup quarter-final next Monday then meet West Ham before of the return clash with Monaco.

The Colombia international said: “Now we are just thinking about ourselves. We’ll keep doing our job and picking up points and then we’ll see what happens.

We need to concentrate on ourselves and not think about City

David Ospina

“It’s game after game and we know we’re close to them (City) now, but we need to concentrate on ourselves and not think about them.

“After what happened last Wednesday the only thing that was important against Everton was to win this big game to continue increasing our confidence and keeping heading up the league.

“We had that disappointment of losing to Monaco, losing at home, but we’ve still got the return leg. Obviously it was a tough night but you’ve always got to bounce back and it was a great way to show that we had done that.”

Ospina has emerged as Wenger’s first-choice keeper in recent weeks and he believes his job will be made easier by the presence of Gabriel Paulista in the squad.

The former Villarreal centre-back made his first Premier League start against Everton in place of the dropped Per Mertesacker.

Ospina said: “He’s a player who is very quick, very technical. He helps take us forward, Arsenal can count on some great defenders and he’s one of them.”